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Using a large animal model, we examined whether circumferential stricture after esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) can be treated by grafting a bioabsorbable esophageal patch. Circumferential ESD was performed on the thoracic esophagus in pigs (n = 6) to create a stricture, for which one of the following interventions was performed: (1) the stricture site was longitudinally incised, and an artificial esophageal wall (AEW) was grafted after placing a bioabsorbable stent (AEW patch group, n = 3); (2) endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) was performed every other week after stricture development (EBD group, n = 3). In both groups, esophageal fluoroscopy was performed 8 weeks after the interventions, and the esophagus was excised for histological examination of the patched site. In the AEW patch group, esophageal fluoroscopy revealed favorable passage through the patched site. Histologically, the mucosal epithelium and lamina propria had regenerated as in the normal area. In the EBD group, the circumferential stricture site showed marked thickening, and there were hypertrophic scars associated with epithelial defects on the luminal surface. Histologically, defects of the mucosal epithelium and full-thickness proliferation of connective tissue were observed. AEW patch grafting was suggested to be a potentially novel treatment strategy for post-ESD esophageal circumferential stricture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We experimentally investigate the width of extended states in disorder-broadened Landau levels (LLs) in top-gated epitaxial graphene on silicon carbide using two different methods: gated transport spectroscopy and activation gap measurements on integer quantum Hall states. The transport spectroscopy reveals that the widths of the extended states in the zero-energy (N = 0) and first excited (TV = 1) LLs are of similar magnitude over the ranges of magnetic field (4-16 T) and temperature studied (1.6-150 K). Under certain assumptions we find that the extended-state width follows a power-law temperature dependence with the exponent η ~ 0.3 in the N = 0 (N = 1) LL, with almost no (very weak) magnetic-field dependence. Activation gap measurements at the filling factors of v = 2 and 6 give results consistent with transport spectroscopy for the N = 1 LL, but indicate a larger broadening for the N = 0 LL than deduced from the spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate a zero-dead-time operation of atomic clocks. This clock reduces sensitivity to local oscillator noise, integrating as nearly 1/τ whereas a clock with dead time integrates as 1/τ1/2 under identical conditions. We contend that a similar scheme may be applied to improve the stability of optical clocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate experimentally that graphene quantum capacitance Cq can have a strong impact on transport spectroscopy through the interplay with nearby charge reservoirs. The effect is elucidated in a field-effect-gated epitaxial graphene device, in which interface states serve as charge reservoirs. The Fermi-level dependence of Cq is manifested as an unusual parabolic gate voltage (Vg) dependence of the carrier density, centered on the Dirac point. Consequently, in high magnetic fields B, the spectroscopy of longitudinal resistance (Rxx ) vs Vg represents the structure of the unequally spaced relativistic graphene Landau levels (LLs). Rxx mapping vs Vg and B thus reveals the vital role of the zero-energy LL on the development of the anomalously wide v = 2 quantum Hall state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate a cold-atom interferometer gyroscope which overcomes accuracy and dynamic range limitations of previous atom interferometer gyroscopes. We show how the instrument can be used for precise determination of latitude, azimuth (true north), and Earth's rotation rate. Spurious noise terms related to multiple-path interferences are suppressed by employing a novel time-skewed pulse sequence. Extended versions of this instrument appear capable of meeting the stringent requirements for inertial navigation, geodetic applications of Earth's rotation rate determination, and tests of general relativity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulsatile release of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is indispensable to maintain normal gonadotrophin secretion. The pulsatile secretion of GnRH is associated with synchronised electrical activity in the mediobasal hypothalamus (i.e. multiple unit activity; MUA), which is considered to reflect the rhythmic oscillations in the activity of the neuronal network that drives pulsatile GnRH secretion. However, the cellular source of this ultradian rhythm in GnRH activity is unknown. Direct input from kisspeptin neurones in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) to GnRH cell bodies in the medial preoptic area or their terminals in the median eminence could be the intrinsic source for driving the GnRH pulse generator. To determine whether kisspeptin signalling could be responsible for producing pulsatile GnRH secretion, we studied goats, measured plasma levels of luteinising hormone (LH) and recorded MUA in the posterior ARC, where the majority of kisspeptin neuronal cell bodies are located. Rhythmic volleys of MUA were found to be accompanied by LH pulses with regular intervals in the ARC, where kisspeptin neuronal cell bodies were found. Exogenous administration of kisspeptin stimulated a sustained increase in LH secretion, without influencing MUA, suggesting that the GnRH pulse generator, as reflected by MUA, originated from outside of the network of GnRH neurones, and could plausibly reflect the pacemaker activity of kisspeptin neurones, whose projections reach the median eminence where GnRH fibres project. These observations suggest that the kisspeptin neurones in the ARC may be the intrinsic source of the GnRH pulse generator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kisspeptin, a peptide encoded by the Kiss1 gene, has been considered as a potential candidate for a factor triggering the onset of puberty, and its expression in the hypothalamus was found to increase during peripubertal period in rodent models. The present study aimed to clarify the oestrogenic regulation of peripubertal changes in Kiss1 mRNA expression in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) and hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC), and to determine which population of kisspeptin neurones shows a change in kisspeptin expression parallel to that in luteinising hormone (LH) pulses at the peripubertal period. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry revealed an apparent increase in the ARC Kiss1 mRNA expression and kisspeptin immunoreactivity around the time of vaginal opening in intact female rats. The AVPV Kiss1 mRNA levels also increased at day 26, but decreased at day 31, and then increased at day 36/41. In ovariectomised (OVX) rats, ARC Kiss1 mRNA expression did not show peripubertal changes and was kept at a high level throughout peripubertal periods. Apparent LH pulses were found in these prepubertal OVX rats. Oestradiol replacement suppressed ARC Kiss1 mRNA expression in OVX prepubertal rats, but not in adults. Similarly, LH pulses were suppressed by oestradiol in the prepubertal period (days 21 and 26), but regular pulses were found in adulthood. The present study suggests that a pubertal increase of Kiss1/kisspeptin expression both in the ARC and AVPV is involved in the onset of puberty. These results also suggest that both LH pulses and ARC Kiss1 expression are more negatively regulated by oestrogen in prepubertal female rats compared to adult rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acetylcholine (ACh) release in the dorsal hippocampus increases during stress, exploration or learning, exhibiting sex-specific 24-h release profile. We review the role of gonadal steroids on the ACh release in the dorsal hippocampus. In our studies, we found that male rats showed higher extracellular ACh levels than females, but gonadectomy decreased ACh levels in both sexes of rats and subsequently eliminated the sex difference. To examine the sex difference under comparable gonadal steroid levels, we implanted steroid capsules after gonadectomy. Oestradiol supplementation maintained circulating oestradiol to the levels in proestrous female rats, whereas testosterone capsules maintained circulating testosterone to the levels similar to intact male rats. Under comparable gonadal steroids levels, ACh levels were sex-specific. Testosterone replacement in orchidectomised rats clearly restored ACh levels, which were greater than ovariectomised testosterone-primed rats. Similarly, oestradiol replacement in ovariectomised rats successfully restored ACh levels, which were higher than orchidectomised oestradiol-primed rats. These results suggest sex-specific activational effects of gonadal steroids on ACh release. To further examine the organisational effect, female pups were neonatally treated with oil, testosterone, oestradiol, or dihydrotestosterone. These rats were bilaterally ovariectomised and a testosterone capsule was implanted at postnatal week 8. Neonatal treatment of either testosterone or oestradiol clearly increased ACh levels, whereas neonatal dihydrotestosterone treatment failed to change levels. These results suggest that: (i) gonadal steroids maintain the sex-specific ACh release in the dorsal hippocampus and (ii) neonatal activation of oestrogen receptors is sufficient to mediate masculinisation of the septo-hippocampal cholinergic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The difference in visual object recognition by males and females suggests a sex-specific function in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). In the present study, we performed an in vivo microdialysis study in three groups of rats (males, diestrous females, and proestrous females) to examine the potential sex difference in acetylcholine (ACh) release in the mPFC. The dialysate was automatically collected from the mPFC every 20 min for 24 h under freely moving conditions and the spontaneous locomotor activity was simultaneously monitored. Although ACh release in the mPFC during the dark phase was significantly greater than during the light phase in both sexes, the female rats consistently exhibited a significantly greater mean ACh release than the males. Spontaneous locomotor activity during the dark phase was also significantly greater than during the light phase in both sexes, but the females exhibited significantly greater spontaneous locomotor activity than the males. In addition, both sexes of rats were found to have significant positive correlations between ACh release and spontaneous locomotor activity, but females were found to have significantly greater correlation coefficients than males. Stereological methods were used to examine the number of choline acetyltransferase immunoreactive cells in the nucleus basalis magnocellularis and the horizontal diagonal band of Broca. The number of choline acetyltransferase immunoreactive cells in the nucleus basalis magnocellularis was also greater in females than males, suggesting a contribution to the higher ACh release in females. In contrast, no sex difference in the choline acetyltransferase immunoreactive cells was observed in the horizontal diagonal band of Broca. This is the first report to show a sex difference in the 24-h ACh release profile in the mPFC of behaving rats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have reported in the past that female rats fed a powdered diet showed better spatial learning and memory functions than female rats a fed pelleted diet. In the present study, we examined the effects of feeding with powdered diet on acetylcholine release in the hippocampus in both sexes of rats. After weaning (3 weeks of age), rats were fed either standard pelleted diet or powdered diet, and after maturation (9–12 weeks of age), they were used in an in vivo microdialysis study, in which no eserine (a cholinesterase inhibitor) was added to the perfusate. The dialysate was collected from the dorsal hippocampus at 20-min intervals under freely moving conditions for more than 24 h. Acetylcholine in the dialysate was measured by high performance liquid chromatography. As we reported previously, the acetylcholine release showed a clear daily rhythm in both sexes, and males showed significantly greater acetylcholine release in the hippocampus than females in rats fed pelleted diet. Conversely, in rats fed powdered diet, no sex difference in the acetylcholine release was observed, since feeding with powdered diet significantly increased the acetylcholine release only in females. To further examine the number of cholinergic neurons in the medial septum and horizontal limb of the diagonal band of Broca, immunocytochemistry for choline acetyltransferase was performed in both sexes of rats fed either standard pelleted diet or powdered diet. However, neither sex nor feeding conditions affect the number of choline acetyltransferase immunoreactive cells in the areas. These results suggest that powdered diet after weaning enhances spontaneous acetylcholine release in the hippocampus in female rats without changes in the number of cholinergic neurons in the areas. It is possible that this effect of feeding contributes to improve the performance in spatial learning and memory functions in female rats fed powdered diet. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The layered oxysulfide (LaO)CuS is a wide-gap semiconductor. In general, the wide-gap semiconductor has strong mono-polarity and non-stoichiometry which affect their physical properties. In this study, the relation between the non-stoichiometry of (LaO)CuS and their physical properties has been investigated. Several kinds of non-stoichiometric samples were prepared. In the Cu non-stoichiometry, (LaO)CuS can accommodate the excess Cu in preference to a deficiency. In the La and S non-stoichiometric samples, deficiencies are preferred. The Cu and S non-stoichiometry affects their electrical and emission properties as expected from the valence band structure. It should be noted that the La non-stoichiometry is also quite effective on the band edge emission and the resistivity as well as other non-stoichiometry. These results reveal that not only Cu but also La deficiency is important in controlling the physical properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An integrated ICE (Ingress-of-Coolant Event) test facility was constructed to demonstrate that the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) safety design approach and design parameters for the ICE are adequate. Major objectives of the integrated ICE test facility are to estimate the performance of an integrated pressure suppression system and obtain the validation data for safety analysis codes and clarify the two-phase flow behavior under vacuum. The integrated ICE test facility simulates the ITER components with a scaling factor of 1/1600. The modified TRAC-PFI code is used to verify the integrated ICE experimental results. From the present study the effectiveness of the ITER pressure suppression system was verified experimentally and analytically, and then, it was clarified quantitatively that the prediction accuracy of the modified TRAC-PF1 code is very high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the relationship between neutralizing antibody titre and protection from tenosynovitis caused by avian reovirus infection using actively or passively immunized chickens. Testing methodology including serological tests and histopathological examination; Avian reovirus in poultry populations; Protection of the chickens against the disease; Actively and passively immunized chickens; What the results showed.

We have investigated the thermal expansion of the ferrimagnet FeSe of the hexagonal system by synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction from room temperature down to 90 K. The lattice constants show anisotropic change against temperature. Especially, the c-axis expands down to 170 K, exhibiting negative linear thermal expansion. Almost the same behavior is found in the temperature dependence of the magnetization. This implies that the anomalous change of the c-axis has a strong correlation with magnetism. Magnetic fields up to 0.4 T do not affect the lattice constants at room temperature. Electrical resistivity indicates metallic behavior, i.e., there is a finite density of the state at the Fermi energy, consisting of the Fe\ 3d and the Se\ 4p states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is often difficult to make a diagnosis of pleuritis associated with rheumatic diseases because of lack of specific diagnostic tools. We report a patient with lupus pleuritis from which tuberculous pleuritis was distinguished by Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific enzyme-linked immunospot assay of pleural exudate mononuclear cells. After the diagnosis of lupus pleuritis, the patient was successfully treated with prednisolone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented concerning the improvement of cardiac function early after non-myeloablative Bone Marrow Transplantation in a heavily transfused patient with severe aplastic anemia and heart failure.

Abstract: Single phase of CeCuS2 has been prepared by the mixture of CeO2 and Cu2S at 1000  C in CS2/Ar atmosphere. All X-ray diffraction peaks of CeCuS2 are indexed on the basis of the monoclinic system (space group: ) the same as LaCuS2 and NdCuS2. The lattice parameters obtained by Rietveld analysis are nm, nm, nm, and . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A single phase of (LaO)CuTe has been synthesized by the solid-state reaction. The lattice constants, a and c, refined by Rietveld analysis are 0.41815 and 0.93417 nm, respectively. The temperature dependence of the electrical resistivity shows a metallic behavior above 150 K and changes to a semiconductive behavior below that temperature. The value of the electronic specific heat coefficient estimated from the dependence of the C /T was almost zero. The magnetic susceptibility shows diamagnetism which is attributed to the core diamagnetism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We have precisely investigated the crystal structure of various doped samples of (La1−x Ca x O)Cu1−x M x S (, Co, Ni, Zn) in order to understand changes of the electrical properties from a view point of the crystal structure. The distance between LaO and CuS layers along c-axis, increases with increasing electrical resistivity of (La1−x Ca x O)Cu1−x Ni x S and it approaches a value of insulating samples, (La1−x Ca x O)Cu1−x M x S (, Co, Zn). The changes of the electrical properties is considered to be due to the charge transfer between LaO and CuS layer which is caused by the change of . [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Thymomas sometimes require treatment for various recurrence patterns, despite their relatively good survival rates after resection. We focused on their maximum standardised uptake value (SUVmax) on preoperative 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography as a tumour recurrence predictor in completely resected thymomas. Those with a high SUVmax might be at an increased recurrence risk, irrespective of tumour size. We categorised cases into axes (tumour size and SUVmax) and determined whether cluster analysis predicts recurrence patterns and freedom from recurrence (FFR). Of the 115 patients who underwent primary surgery for thymoma between 2005 and 2018, 66 were evaluated. According to the Masaoka stage and World Health Organization (WHO) histological type, all histological diagnoses were obtained after resection. All recurrences were diagnosed using computed tomography and categorised into three patterns: distant, local and regional recurrences. A multiple regression analysis was carried out to identify predictors for each recurrence pattern. Cluster analysis was carried out based on tumour size and SUVmax. The FFR rate was evaluated. All patients with preoperative SUVmax <3.4 were free from recurrence regardless of Masaoka stage, WHO histological classification and tumour size. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the SUVmax was the only significant predictor for distant recurrence. All cases were divided into three clusters. Cluster 3, with average tumour size and a high SUVmax, showed a higher risk of distant recurrence rate (60%) and a significantly lower FFR rate (P = 0.003). The preoperative positron emission tomography/computed tomography SUVmax could be a useful thymoma recurrence predictor, especially for distant recurrences. In addition, cluster analysis revealed that cases with average tumour sizes and extremely high SUVmax were identified to have a higher recurrence risk and a significantly lower FFR rate than those in other clusters. Even after complete resection, such cases should be closely followed-up and screened for distant recurrence. • Finding predictors for postoperative thymoma recurrence is important. • PET/CT is useful for predicting distant thymoma recurrences. • No study has examined the SUVmax of PET/CT impact on predicting completely resected thymoma recurrence regarding tumour size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We carried out the crystal growth for FeSe by the chemical vapor transport method in an evacuated sealed silica ampoule. The grown crystals have a partially hexagonal habit and it is suggested that NiAs-type FeSe and PbO-type FeSe coexist in individual crystals. Several crystals showed superconducting sign below ∼10K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the influence of thymidine incorporated into human hemopoietic cell lines. Examination of cell proliferation, cell viability, DNA fragmentation and expression of caspase-3 and Bcl-2 families; Analysis of cell-cycle of HL-60 using flow cytometry.

Most patients who switched to a second bisphosphonate continued their treatment long term, although those who stopped their first drug because of adverse events were likely to discontinue the second drug for the same reason. Switching to another bisphosphonate is a reasonable treatment option for some patients with treatment failure. Patients who experience treatment failure with a bisphosphonate because of adverse events (AEs) or other reasons might receive a second bisphosphonate. However, the frequency and benefits of switching bisphosphonates are unknown. We retrospectively evaluated 197 men and 1110 women newly treated with bisphosphonates between 1 January 2000 and 30 June 2005 at our university hospital. Among the 497 patients who discontinued bisphosphonate treatment, 146 were switched to a second bisphosphonate. The cumulative probabilities of persistence of treatment after 3 years were 45% with the first bisphosphonate and 65% with the second ( P = 0.017). Age ≥65 years, switching bisphosphonates because of AEs, and male gender were associated ( P < 0.05) with low persistence of treatment with the second bisphosphonate. Discontinuation of the first drug because of AEs was associated with an increased rate of discontinuation of the second drug because of AEs (hazard ratio, 4.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.1–8.4). Patients who switched bisphosphonates had high rates of persistence of therapy. Those who stopped their first bisphosphonate because of AEs were at risk of discontinuing the second drug for the same reason. Switching to another bisphosphonate is a reasonable treatment option for some patients with treatment failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compares cardiopulmonary, hematological, serum biochemical and behavioral effects of sevoflurane, isoflurane or halothane anesthesia in spontaneously breathing, conventionally medicated goats. Six male adult goats were anesthetized repeatedly at 2-week intervals with three anesthetics. Goats were administered atropine (0.1 mg/kg) intramuscularly, and 10 min later, induced to anesthesia by an intravenous infusion of thiopental (mean 14.3 mg/kg). After intubation, goats were anesthetized with halothane, isoflurane or sevoflurane in oxygen and maintained at surgical depth of anesthesia for 3 h. Recovery from anesthesia with sevoflurane was more rapid than that with isoflurane or halothane. Time-related hypercapnia and acidosis were observed during halothane anesthesia, but not observed during sevoflurane or isoflurane anesthesia. Both hypercapnia and acidosis during sevoflurane anesthesia did not differ from isoflurane anesthesia, but were less during halothane anesthesia, especially at prolonged maintenance period. There were no significant differences between anesthetics in respiration and heart rates, arterial pressures, hematological and serum biochemical values. It was concluded that sevoflurane is an effective inhalant for use in goats showing the most rapid recovery from anesthesia, and that cardiopulmonary effects of sevoflurane are similar to isoflurane than halothane. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Examines the effects of prolonged sevoflurane, isoflurane and halothane anesthesia in oxygen on clinical, cardiopulmonary, hematologic and serum biochemical values in cats. Rebreathing and non-rebreathing system; Recovery from anesthesia; Arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure.

Abstract: We have prepared rare earth oxysulfides (PrO)CuS and (NdO)CuS in order to introduce magnetic moments into the non-magnetic p-type semiconductor (LaO)CuS. Both compounds are semiconductors with high electrical resistivity, and show the paramagnetic behavior. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility is well explained by the trivalent rare earth ion. However, it deviates from simple Curie Wiess law below 100K due to the crystal field effect on rare earth ions. We have succeeded to reproduce their magnetic properties by the calculation taking the crystal field effect into account using the operator equivalent method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: To investigate the disruption of neural circuits in the frontal lobes and limbic structures in late-life depressed patients compared with healthy controls, and to examine the correlation between the degree of microstructural abnormalities of white matter and clinical symptom severity in late-life depression.Methods: Thirteen patients with late-life depression and matched control subjects underwent diffusion tensor imaging. Fractional anisotropy (FA), an index of the integrity of white matter tracts, was determined in the white matter of frontal, temporal, and occipital brain regions and the corpus callosum.Results: A significant reduction was found in white matter FA values of widespread regions of the frontal and temporal lobes of depressed patients. Also, there was some evidence suggesting that white matter FA values of the inferior frontal brain region are inversely related to severity of depression.Conclusions: These results suggest the possible loss of integrity within frontal and temporal white matter fibre tracts and implicate the orbitofrontal circuit in symptom severity in late-life depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen-free pyrene gas as a carbon (C) dopant was delinked and incorporated into highly dense MgB2 structure via a gas phase diffusion method. The technique offers the advantages that molecular C is homogeneously distributed into MgB2 and substituted at the boron sites without any severe deterioration of grain connectivity. The C substitution causes a significant shrinkage of the a-lattice parameter and an increase in the lattice strain, resulting in high disorder. The introduction of structural disorder as a result of C doping leads to a considerable enhancement of the in-field critical current density (Jc) and upper critical field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The effects of Sn doping, deposition temperature, and post-annealing treatment on the excitonic behavior of ZnO:Sn (SZO) thin films deposited by dc-unbalanced magnetron sputtering have been studied. Sn doping induces the decrease of grain size and promotes the formation of oxygen vacancy-related trap states as indicated by A 1 LO mode in Raman spectra and green emission in photoluminescence spectra. Using a critical point analysis of the dielectric functions from spectroscopic ellipsometry data analysis, Sn doping blueshifts the excitonic absorption and decreases the exciton lifetime via screening the electron-hole Coulomb interaction. By varying the deposition temperature from room temperature up to 300 °C (SZO-3), there is no change in excitonic absorption. Then, annealing of SZO-3 at 600 °C under oxygen environment (SZO-6) strongly improves the excitonic absorption as well as its lifetime. Critical point analysis on SZO-6 sample clearly reveals the excitonic transition at 3.38 eV and exciton-phonon complexes at 3.66 eV. Thus, the result is important to improve the functionality of doped ZnO with strong excitonic absorption for optoelectronic applications. Highlights • Sn doping promotes the formation of oxygen vacancy-related trap states. • Sn doping blueshifts the excitonic absorption and decreases the exciton lifetime. • Exciton and exciton-phonon complexes are observed after post-annealing treatment. • Post annealing at 600 °C increases the excitonic transitions of ZnO:Sn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have prepared single crystal of layered Mott-insulator FePS3 and investigated the pressure dependence of the electrical resistivity. FePS3 shows a metal-insulator transition between 10 and 11 GPa. In the insulating region, the activation energy increases continuously with decreasing the pressure and it is well extrapolated to the ambient pressure value. In the metallic region, the electrical resistivity is propotional to the square of the temperature within 50 to 100 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented describing the case of a 24-year-old Japanese woman with systemic lupus erythematous who developed lupus associated-haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and was successfully treated with infliximab.

Approximately 10 % of cases of hypertension in Japan are caused by primary aldosteronism (PA), amounting to about 4 million patients in total. Primary aldosteronism due to unilateral aldosterone hypersecretion is potentially curable by adrenalectomy. The clinical benefits of identifying and treating PA have been reported internationally, but its cost-effectiveness is unclear. We examined whether diagnosing and treating hidden PA in hypertensive population was costeffective compared with suboptimal treatment. Our hypothetical patient was a 50-year-old man diagnosed with stage I--III hypertension. We established a Markov decision model based on plausible clinical pathways and prognoses of PA. We applied cost-effectiveness analysis comparing a comprehensive diagnostic strategy for PA (measurement of plasma aldosterone/renin ratio, 2 loading tests, imaging, and selective adrenal venous sampling) with a suboptimal strategy to manage hypertension by medication unless the typical signs of PA or other complication were manifest. Outcome measures were expected costs, expected effectiveness, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. The robustness of the findings was established by one-way and scenario sensitivity analyses. The comprehensive PA diagnostic strategy increased the expected costs by 64 004 JPY and expected life-years by 0.013 compared with standard treatment. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for the diagnosis of PA was 4 923 385 JPY per year. Our findings were sensitive to the outcomes of screening and treatment, and the costs of continuous or periodic medication for hypertension and the treatment of stroke and its complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Layered oxypnictide LaOMnAs shows an antiferromagnetic insulator-to-ferromagnetic metal transition at room temperature with increasing the defect of LaO layer which induces hole doping into the MnAs layers. In order to reveal the details of the transition, we have performed hard-X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for the insulating LaOMnAs and metallic (LaO) 0.7 MnAs. The spectral changes in the valence band, mainly composed of Mn 3 d states, Mn 2 p core levels, and La 3 d core-levels have been observed across the transition. Our results indicated that Mn 3 d state was significantly influenced by the defect of LaO layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oestrogen-induced luteinising hormone ( LH) surge is evident in male primates, including humans, whereas male rodents never show the LH surge, even when treated with a preovulatory level of oestrogen. This suggests that the central mechanism governing reproductive hormones in primates is different from that in rodents. The present study aimed to investigate whether male Japanese monkeys conserve a brain mechanism mediating the oestrogen-induced LH surge via activation of kisspeptin neurones. Adult male and female Japanese monkeys were gonadectomised and then were treated with oestradiol-17β for 2 weeks followed by a bolus injection of oestradiol benzoate. Both male and female monkeys showed an oestrogen-induced LH surge. In gonadectomised monkeys sacrificed just before the anticipated time of the LH surge, oestrogen treatment significantly increased the number of KISS1-expressing cells in the preoptic area ( POA) and enhanced the expression of c- fos in POA KISS1-positive cells of males and females. The oestrogen treatment failed to induce c- fos expression in the arcuate nucleus ( ARC) kisspeptin neurones in both sexes just prior to LH surge onset. Thus, kisspeptin neurones in the POA but not in the ARC might be involved in the positive-feedback action of oestrogen that induces LH surge in male Japanese monkeys, as well as female monkeys. The present results indicate that oestrogen-induced activation of POA kisspeptin neurones may contribute to the LH surge generation in both sexes. The conservation of the LH surge generating system found in adult male primates, unlike rodents, could be a result of the capability of oestrogen to induce POA kisspeptin expression and activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To evaluate radiation-induced myocardial damage after mediastinal radiotherapy using MRI. Materials and methods Between May 2010 and April 2011, delayed contrast-enhanced MRI was performed for patients who had maintained a complete response to curative radiotherapy for oesophageal cancer for more than 6 months. The patients received radiotherapy with a median total dose of 66 Gy (60–70 Gy) for the primary tumour and metastatic lymph nodes. Images of MRI were analysed by a 17-segment method recommended by the American Heart Association. A segment included mainly in the 40 Gy dose line was defined as Segment 40 Gy, a segment included mainly in the 60 Gy dose line as Segment 60 Gy, and a segment out of the radiation fields as Segment OUT. The percentage of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was examined in those categories. The layer in which LGE was predominantly distributed was evaluated for each patient. Results Four hundred and eight segments in 24 patients were analysed. The median interval from completion of radiotherapy to MRI was 23.5 months (range 6–88 months). LGE was detected in 12 of the 24 patients. LGE was detected in 15.38% of Segment 40 Gy cases, 21.21% of Segment 60 Gy cases, and 0% of Segment OUT cases. LGE in mid-myocardial and subendocardial layers was detected in 11 patients and one patient, respectively. Conclusion LGE suggesting radiation induced myocardial fibrosis was observed by performing delayed contrast-enhanced MRI. Care should be taken when planning radiotherapy to avoid late cardiac damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]